Watson has signed a three-year deal with the Thunder after stints with crosstown rivals Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat.

The 33-year-old showed his qualities in the T20 format of the game in the Indian Premier League this season, averaging 43.47 with the bat at a strike rate of 135.01.

Watson was also handy with the ball for the Rajasthan Royals, picking up six wickets.

The Queenslander is currently in preparations for the upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and the British Isles with the Australian squad, and Thunder general manager Nick Cummins said Watson was a massive addition to the squad.